Larry Ryan: Liam Brady is a national treasure allowing himself be treasured

Brady's new autobiography, Born to be a Footballer, is a reminder of what an extraordinary sporting life he has lived.

NATIONAL TREASURE: Liam Brady, Former Arsenal player interacts with Emile Smith Rowe of Arsenal. (Photo by Stuart MacFarlane/Arsenal FC via Getty Images)

Over the years, Liam Brady has almost become a symbol of the nice things we can’t have. He is the footballer Ireland longs for.

We can roll an unlimited supply of world class rugby players off the schools production line, but even our tech world’s relentless innovation can’t programme a footballing genius into existence.